“The Dream Still Lives,” a project concepted by Stevie Wonder and directed by Candice Vernon, has launched 50 years from the exact moment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s tragic death. In the film, entertainers, politicians, and athletes–including Wonder, former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama, Katy Perry, Meryl Streep, Chadwick Boseman, Senator Kamala Harris, Trevor Noah, Dave Chappelle, and Bruce Springsteen–address personal hopes for the future as inspired by MLK’s Dream.
Produced by Bullitt Entertainment, the moving tribute to envisioning change encourages the public to make their voice heard through personal posts and positive action. People are invited to find and share inspiration here.
“I am honored that I have been chosen to be a part of the team to bring Stevie Wonder’s vision to life, and help keep the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ever present. The project is so vital to the unity that we still strive for today, and serves as a reminder that we are all one human race,” said Vernon. “Together we can make the impossible possible, breaking the chains of discrimination for all groups, and create peace and harmony across the globe.”
Vernon’s body of work spans branded content, short films and episodic series. Vernon wrote, directed, and produced “Make America Great?” an award-winning short film that screened worldwide in the wake of the 2016 elections. A former advertising executive producer, Vernon has worked on projects with clients such as The Dollar Shave Club, Time Warner Cable, Jockey, and many more. Following production on Dream Still Lives, director Vernon signed with Bullitt for branded projects and advertising.
Credits
Production Bullitt Entertainment Candice Vernon, director; Todd Makurath, chairman; Luke Ricci, president/exec producer; Allison Amon, EVP sales & business development; Noel Sullivan, EVP strategy; Jenni Sprunger, head of production; L. Vertel Scott, producer. Design Production SHIPPING & HANDLING Casey Price, creative director; Johannes Gamble, Raphael LaMotta, designers/animators; Scott Friske, exec producer; Dustin LaForce, producer. Editorial Spot Welders Ting Poo, editor; Carolina Padilla, exec producer; Robinson Eng, JC Nunez, Trevor Schulte, assistant editors. Color MPC Ricky Gausis, colorist; Meghan Lang, exec producer; Rebecca Boorsma, producer. Audio Formosa Commercials John Bolen, Hermann Thumann, mixers; Lauren Cascio, exec producer. Cast Stevie Wonder, President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Common, Megan Nicole, Tyler Oakley, The Chainsmokers; Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ryan Tedder, Michael Strahan, James Corden, Billy Crystal, Dave Matthews, Sen. Kamala Harris, Serena Williams, Dr. Keith Black, Lupita Nyong’o, Naomi Campbell, Katy Perry, Billie Jean King, Gloria Estefan, Samuel L. Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Demi Lovato, Tiger Woods, Noah Schnapp, Condoleeza Rice, Lilly Singh, Eva Longoria, Bette Midler, Rita Wilson, Secretary-General Antรณnio Guterres, Elton John, Congressman Cedric Richmond, Chadwick Boseman, Janelle Monรกe, Gayle King, Cher, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Robert De Niro, Luis Fonsi, Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Foxx, Howard Stern, Kesha, Clive Davis, Charlie Puth, Lecrae, Nick Jonas, Kirk Franklin, Harry Styles, Garth Brooks, Andra Day, Dave Chappelle, Tony Bennett, SZA, Arturo Sandoval, Carmelo Anthony, Paul McCartney, Sadiq Khan (Lord Mayor of London), Trevor Noah, Darius Rucker, Lionel Richie, Marc Anthony, Yara Shahidi, Warren Buffett, Meryl Streep, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Tim Cook, Mark Ronson, Mary J. Blige, Berry Gordy
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The filmโs protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a childโs life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace โ Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the โBullying-Free Schoolsโ program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
โResearch indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
